Today’s Reading: 2 Samuel 8-12; 1 Chronicles 18-19; Psalm 60

Does it seem to you that most television sitcoms have the same plotline? The main character makes a mistake and tells a lie to cover up the truth; then they have to tell another lie and then another lie to cover up the first lie. Everything becomes a mess, the truth comes out, and they realize it would have been better to just tell the truth right away. In today’s passage, David is that main character.

David took a break from the battlefield and went up on his roof to walk around. From there he saw Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah, taking a bath. In that moment, David made a choice. God told him to look away but the enemy told him to look closer. God was telling David you can’t have that and the enemy was telling David you need that, you deserve that – after all, you’re the king!

AGAINST YOU, AND YOU ALONE, HAVE I SINNED

This was the moment when David made a huge mistake – not an accident but a choice. He gave in to temptation and to his own fleshly desires instead of listening to the Spirit. David’s behavior was self-serving, instead of God-serving. David did not fall into sin, he stepped into it. When Bathsheba became pregnant with David’s child, David made another choice. Instead of confessing his sins, he tried to cover up his indiscretions through manipulation, lies and murder.

If you read through this story in 2 Samuel 11, take notice that Uriah the Hittite is not even an Israelite and yet he is so dedicated that he refuses to go home and be with his wife as long as the Ark of the Covenant and the army are out on the battlefield. David, on the other hand, is less concerned about his soldiers and the safety of the Ark and more concerned about himself. The king of Israel had always gone into battle with his army, but David remained safe in the palace while his men risked their lives.

I HAVE DONE WHAT IS EVIL IN YOUR SIGHT

It would have been wise for David to remember all God had done for him. It would have helped David to remember God was with him wherever he went. Even when he was sinning in secret, God knew all.

So the Lord sent Nathan the prophet to tell David this story: “There were two men in a certain town. One was rich, and one was poor. The rich man owned a great many sheep and cattle. The poor man owned nothing but one little lamb he had bought. He raised that little lamb, and it grew up with his children. It ate from the man’s own plate and drank from his cup. He cuddled it in his arms like a baby daughter. One day a guest arrived at the home of the rich man. But instead of killing an animal from his own flock or herd, he took the poor man’s lamb and killed it and prepared it for his guest.” David was furious…Then Nathan said to David, “You are that man!” – 2 Samuel 12:1-7a

REMOVE THE STAIN OF MY GUILT

David confessed his sin and suffered greatly due to the consequences of his first sin and the many sins he committed in an attempt to cover up the first. God forgave David but there were consequences, and David’s baby lived only 7 days. This is where the plot might end but David’s story continues. God forgave David and still had a plan for his life.

DO NOT BANISH ME FROM YOUR PRESENCE, AND DON’T TAKE YOUR HOLY SPIRIT FROM ME

Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace…Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. For if you live by its dictates, you will die. But if through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. – Romans 8:5-6,12-14

The enemy has plans for us today, plans to trip us up and lead us into temptation. God has another plan – a plan that involves keeping our eyes on Him and saying “no” to temptation. When the enemy says to look closer, may we hear God’s voice telling us to look away. When the enemy tells us we need something, may we accept God’s answer of “No”. Today may we give in to the urgings of the Spirit instead of the urgings of the sinful nature.